The Christmas period is going to be a crucial time for Bristol Rovers’ promotion ambitions. The Pirates brought in a whole host of new signings in the summer and started off like a house on fire under new manager Ian Atkins. However, they have suffered a dip in form and are currently languishing just outside the play-off zone. Expectations are always high at The Memorial Ground and supporters will be hoping they can kick-start their campaign again at home to Leyton Orient on Boxing Day. One man who will be hoping to make an impression is summer signing Craig Hinton. The 27-year-old former Kidderminster Harrier centre half is currently playing as a right back for Rovers and is part of a defence that is keeping clean sheets at will recently. It was a wrench to leave Aggborough after six years with Harriers but Hinton has no regrets about making the move, as he told givemefootball’s Ian Clarkson.
Q:HOW HAVE YOU FOUND LIFE IN BRISTOL SINCE ARRIVING IN THE SUMMER?
A:It has been pretty good. We have a great set of lads and we started the season really well. We then hit a bit of a bad patch, but we have picked up again recently. I can’t put my finger on why we had the slump in form but that sometimes happens at this level. The manager reckons it could be because players are still settling into the area after so many new players arrived, and he could be right.
Q:HOW HAS YOUR OWN FORM BEEN THIS YEAR?
A:I have been enjoying my football and my form has been okay. I have been playing at right back but I reckon there is still more to come from me though.
Q:WHAT ARE EXPECTATIONS LIKE AT THE MEMORIAL GROUND?
A:The team has under-achieved during the last few seasons and with the influx of new players in the close season then expectations were higher than ever. The fans are expecting more from us and the players think that we can do well too. We have reached the area semi final of the LDV Vans Trophy at the end of January and that could be the catalyst for the rest of the season for us. The players get just as down as the supporters if the results don’t go according to plan.
Q:HOW DISAPPOINTING IS IT TO SEE YOUR OLD CLUB KIDDERMINSTER ROOTED TO THE FOOT OF THE TABLE?
A:It is very disappointing. However, I think the appointment of Stuart Watkiss is a good one and hopefully they can turn the corner and survive this year.
Q:WHAT HAS BEEN ROVERS’ BIGGEST PROBLEM THIS SEASON?
A:It is simple – we have drawn too many games. If we could have turned even half of those draws into wins then we would be right in with the chasing pack. From a defensive point of view we have managed to keep a few clean sheets recently and that is very pleasing. We need a little bit of luck to go our way and turn our home ground into Fortress Memorial.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE BOXING DAY GAME AT HOME TO ORIENT?
A:They beat us 4-2 at their place earlier in the season so we will be looking for revenge. We played well for 60 minutes but then had a bad spell where they scored four in ten minutes. However, they are suffering a dip in form themselves at present so this is an ideal opportunity to put the record straight.
Q:ARE YOU STILL CONFIDENT OF BEING IN THE PROMOTION SHAKE-UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
A:We are definitely still thinking of promotion. We have now got five games in the next two weeks, which gives us a great chance to put a good amount of points on the board at the start of the New Year.
